Ben Pochee, our marketing man competed over the new year break and here is a brief race report and some pics:

The race held just outside Stuttgart is called the Bietigheimer Silvesterlauf, as with many other German New Year road races it is 11.22km (7 miles), what makes the race special is that it attracts an amazingly loud crowd estimated at 20,000, and they play drums, blow horns and scream their heads off while you charge around the beautiful cobbled street town. The temperature was below freezing, and although snow is not uncommon for this race, the amount of snow meant that large sections of the race could not be cleared and racers had to navigate several inches of ice, as the pictures show.   

The event attracts some of Germany’s top 5km and 10km runners and in total had nearly 4,000 runners. The men’s winner was German international Sebastian Hallmann who is a 13.20 5km runner and ran a very quick 33.07 on the partially snow & ice covered course. Highgate / Bike & Run very own Ben Noad put in a sterling effort given he is not yet fully fit after his serious rib cage injury, and he managed to run a very strong 2^nd half of the race to eventually out sprint Ireland international Cian McLoughlin for 8^th place. Bike & Run’s Ben Pochee had his own battle with ex Olympic Champion Dieter Baumann for 14^th, but was eventually out paced in final 1km by the home crowd favourite and finished 15^th.

More race news from Jez.............................

 Thanet Cross duathlon, Kent. 1st Place and 60th Duathlon win since starting out. (crikey.. I feel old...) 
One of the best athletes I coach and something of a revelation on the UK Duathlon scene in 2010, Carl Ferri had to drop out of the Thanet race on January 2nd and very kindly gave me his entry in exchange for a manky old gear leaver (don't ask...!)            And so I found myself, parked up in a car park overlooking the North Sea lighting the fire in my autosleeper and contemplating the race ahead which innovatively combines a tarmac first run, boggy mtb bike leg and a killer boggy long final off road run.  the runs were a formality for me as I am running really well this winter but the bike leg was a real scrap with a couple of the VC Invictica guys on their cross bikes not only catching me but giving me a really hard time. It was great because we all pushed it so hard on the bike. I had a really pleasing final run to take the win and put some more really hard racing into my prep for the Iceman which is in just a few weeks.
It was great to see so many people enjoying a new year event and with the customary good cheer and eyeballs out attitude that is common of du and tri the world over.   It doesn't matter where you go the world over for multisport events there's always the feeling of a collective sense of not just purpose but a sharing. A sharing in the suffering and a sharing in the satisfaction that we are all taking the path less travelled and challenging ourselves to do something many would never dream of.   there's me banging on about winning but Here's to Thomas Flitch who came last. He was 90 minutes behind me but you should have seen how far he was ahead of the millions of able bodied people who wouldn't have dreamed of even starting. Miles........  This new year,  if you are reading this and thinking of challenging yourself then go for it.  You only get one body and you only get one chance. Enjoy it!

Asics Mudman Cross Duathlon series rd 2  DNF (mechanical)
Is it on? Is it cancelled? These were the words on everyone's lips as the Mudman approached. But no. This is the race series that prides itself on being crazy tough so there we were, racing on slowly melting snow and as we'd have it, it was actually pretty cool.
My race was simple: Colin Dixon, Jim McConnell and I got away on the first run with Colin then pulling away on the slippy descents. Jim and I ran together and exited T2 together in 2nd place and that's when my race ended. As soon as I started to pedal my chain slipped and wouldn't grip in any gear. I had replaced the chain the day before but because of the snow hadn't been able to go out and try it. Race over. I should have checked it so it was entirely my fault.
As a result I've lost my series lead and it's now looking like it will be a best 3 results count series which means the final two rounds will be a big head to head between me Jim and Paul Davies. May the best man win! And may the best man be me! hee hee. Should be fun.  If you haven't a clue about the series check out the video below.  If you're still not tempted there's an excellent face-plant crash in the middle. here it is :
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_profilepage&v=0Mf579z5kbM

Daz Parker finished a very credible 15th pro in the recent Xterra World champs in Maui. You can see her race report at www.dazparker.com.

photo courtesy XTERRA/Mike Adrian

Sports Injuiries

At one time or another we get injuries from doing sport. Be it Cycling, Running or Swimming, overuse injuries from too much training or incorrect bike set up or too much too soon, or just an accident

We can help you with the correct bike fit and the right running shoes which will help to prevent injury however if you do get injured, we have teamed up with Sports Injury specialists who can help:

Richard Emmerson M. Ost. BA (Dunelm) NO DO
Pure Dynamic Osteopathy
Registered Osteopath

Complete Physio

We have chosen to work with these in particular because of their knowledge of cycling, running and Swimming injuries and because we have tried them out and they have worked well for me and the team at Bike and Run.

Steve Mckenzie